PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women during their reproductive age. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause menstrual problems, excessive hair growth, acne as well as obesity. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may also increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

At Nielsen Clinic (Calgary), we develop a treatment plan specific to your health needs. We help you get to the root of your health concerns by customizing treatment and helping implement positive lifestyle adjustments to help you get control of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Below are sections offering information for common questions as well as various elements of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

+ What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal and metabolic imbalance that can affect a women's health, appearance and fertility.

Many women are affected by PCOS but may not know it as a 2010 study published in Human Reproduction showed that up to 70% of women are left undiagnosed and unaware they have PCOS.

Due to an increase in male hormones (androgens), other hormones that regulate periods and ovulation become altered which can disrupt menstrual cycles (fewer periods than usual), increase acne and facial hair growth as well affect fertility.

+ What causes PCOS?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) cause is unknown. Since PCOS is a syndrome which involves multiple systems which makes determining the primary cause challenging.

PCOS occurs due to an increase in androgen and insulin levels as well as inflammation. With an increase in inflammation as well as androgen and insulin levels, a women hormones become altered preventing her body to make eggs normally and can cause her to develop an increase in facial hair growth, acne, and difficulty in losing weight.

Presently this is what we know about PCOS:
1. PCOS appears to be inherited (passed through genes).
2. PCOS develops due to an excessive amount of male hormones (androgens); mainly testosterone.
3. High levels of insulin or insulin sensitivity/resistance also occur in the vast majority of PCOS cases.
4. High levels of insulin suppress the production of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) which increases the presence of androgens.
5. Women with PCOS have higher levels of inflammation inside there body (this is believed to occur due to the increase in androgen levels and being overweight).

Diagnosis PCOS can be challenging and should be done with a doctor who is experienced in diagnosis PCOS.

+ What are symptoms of PCOS?

PCOS is a “syndrome,” which not only affects the ovaries and ovulation but the entire body. The five main features are:
1. Cysts in the ovaries
2. High levels of male hormones
3. Irregular or skipped periods
4. Acne
5. Difficulty in losing weight

Nielsen Clinic, providing an integrative approach to medicine with a holistic approach. By using the best system of alternative medicine (homeopathy, acupunture & psychology) we get to the root of health issues.